Doser help - calling on all who dose alkalinity...

[Andrew D]

Hi everyone, hoping to get some perspectives on how I can overcome a problem with my alkalinity dosing. Specifically, the 1/4 inch tubing that I use constantly gets plugged at the end, which creates back pressure which eventually causes the tube to pop out at the doser end and dump a whole lot of alkalinity solution onto the floor. This happens regardless of whether the end of the tube is in or above the water. I clean it frequently but there are times when life gets in the way and before I know it it's popped out again. Yesterday I discovered that there were blockages within the tube itself that I couldn't clear so I ended up replacing the tube altogether. It's messy, costly and results in alkalinity swings that are stressing out my sps, and I'm hoping to learn from others out there because I'm sure I'm not the only one that this is happening to. The only things I can think of that I've not already tried are expanding the size of the tube (which will require a reducer fitting of some kind at the doser itself) or diluting the solution and dosing more frequently and heavier.

For context, I use b-ionic 2-part solution which I mix as recommended by the manufacturer, have a kamoer 3 channel doser, and dose 20mL twelve times a day.

Thanks in advance. Andrew

[Dugless]

Do you use vinyl or silicone tubing? I’ve found the silicone to be more pliable and resists hardening that can create some blockages.

[Pet Detective]

Can you secure the end that pops off with a plastic zip tie?

[2una]

Originally Posted by Andrew D

It's messy, costly and results in alkalinity swings that are stressing out my sps,

Your telling yourself already - Calcium reactor time
Think the kamoers are max 12x/day so not like you can do smaller amounts more frequent either.
If you have an apex on the tank a DOS unit would dose 2ml every 12min (for your 240ml) They're not silent like the kamoer tho.

[Joe0813]

Ive never had this problem with my Neptune hoses. maybe turn it on so it doses smaller amounts quicker so it doesn't have time to dry

[Andrew D]

Thanks everyone. To answer your questions, I use the flexible clear vinyl tubing not the more rigid opaque stuff. Not sure what silicon tubing looks like but I've not found anything more flexible. As for fixing the end so it doesn't pop, I don't think I can use a zip tie but I have thought about using tape, maybe the electrical stuff that is quite strong. You're right that the kamoer only doses 12 times max per day so I can't go more frequent. I don't have an apex but have been thinking about it and this is additional incentive for sure. As for a calcium reactor, I had bad experiences in the past trying to tune it but the reactor I had wasn't the best and very likely undersized for my tank too, I may have to try it again but it's a lot of money to shell out.

Curious, does anyone have any experience or opinion about diluting the solution say and increasing the amount you dose?

[2una]

I don't really like this idea but it might be a solution to try if you have a spare pumphead not being used on the unit.
Add a "t" by the doser to the alk delivery line & have 2 heads feed more often.
eg pump 1 - 10ml x 12 & pump 2- 10ml x 12 ,offset times so liquid is going thru an hour apart instead of the 2 it is now.
Would maybe need non returns put on the feed side of the "t" to stop it trying to go the wrong way.
Extra trouble waiting to happen probably but it might be a solution

[ajoe]

Originally Posted by Joe0813

Ive never had this problem with my Neptune hoses. maybe turn it on so it doses smaller amounts quicker so it doesn't have time to dry

plus one on this. faster/shorter dose will likely reduce and/or displace any deposits.

[Kevin Guthrie]

Run the tubing so it ends underwater and doesn't fill with air when the dosing pump turns off.

[Andrew D]

I thought I'd resurrect this old thread, to close the loop and offer a solution to those with a similar issue. I ended up diluting the B-Ionic alkalinity solution and doubling my dose. Worked like a charm. I've not had a tube clog or pop in almost a year, and my alkalinity has been more stable than it's ever been. Of course this means that my sps are also looking better than they ever have. Now let's hope ol' Murphy isn't listening....

[reefteaser]

Cruising the forms and came across this thread with a problem that I had as well. I solved it by lining up my dosing ends with my ATO output so that my top off water rinses the ends of the dispensing tubes, especially alk. This has worked well for several years.

[homer1475]

Originally Posted by reefteaser

Cruising the forms and came across this thread with a problem that I had as well. I solved it by lining up my dosing ends with my ATO output so that my top off water rinses the ends of the dispensing tubes, especially alk. This has worked well for several years.

Lol I do this same exact thing.


I have a dosing line holder for 4 lines, I simply put a small bend in the end(I use RO/DI hose for my ATO) with some heat so it stayed, then pointed it toward my 2 part lines. Now when my ATO kicks on, the spray washes the end of the dosing lines off.

[ShadowR55]

Originally Posted by reefteaser

Cruising the forms and came across this thread with a problem that I had as well. I solved it by lining up my dosing ends with my ATO output so that my top off water rinses the ends of the dispensing tubes, especially alk. This has worked well for several years.

Good idea! What worked for me with my triton dosing was cutting the tip of the tubing into a sharp V point. Not sure why this works, but my tubing never clogged after that. Also, all my tubing stays above water and I try to keep it in an area where it won’t get splashed.